Published: Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 6:51 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 7:57 p.m.

Local hospitals are seeing more cases of flu-like illness in their emergency rooms, an indication the community could be in store for a rough season.

"It's definitely up," said Dr. Bonnie Sorensen, director of the Volusia County Health Department. "You can see it at work. A lot of people are sick, coughing, feverish and staying home."

The number of people visiting Volusia County's emergency rooms with flu-like symptoms has more than doubled so far this season compared to last year. From Oct. 1 to Tuesday, 3,696 people have shown up to Volusia County emergency rooms with symptoms, according to Health Department data. During the same period last year, the number was only 1,787.

Although patients visiting the emergency room may have been suffering from an illness other than the flu, it shows the virus is likely picking up in the community, Sorensen said.

Flagler County Health Department has also seen more flu-like illness, said Benjamin Juengst, environmental health director. From Oct. 1, 2011, to Jan. 8, 2012, emergency room workers saw 259 Flagler residents with flu-like symptoms. This year, that number is 431.

Florida Hospital is reporting increased flu-like illness at its hospitals in Volusia and Flagler, along with positive flu tests, said Lindsay Rew, a hospital spokeswoman. Florida Hospital DeLand started December with one positive flu test, followed by two the second week of the month, five in the third week and eight during the past week.

Overall, Florida is classified as having widespread flu activity and appears to be one of the harder-hit states in the nation, said Dr. Michael Jhung, medical officer in the influenza division at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Nationally, the CDC is seeing peak-like levels of flu when generally the virus doesn't reach its peak until February. Public health officials are watching to see whether flu is peaking early or if much more is still in store. The CDC is warning this could be one of the worst seasons in recent years.

Locally, Volusia County is reporting mild activity, while Flagler is reporting no activity, according to the most recent state surveillance report.

But given the amount of flu spreading throughout Florida, it's likely the two counties will see widespread activity by the end of the season, Jhung said.

"It's only a matter of time before they are subject to the same activity as the rest of the state is seeing," he said. "It's a good reason to vaccinate if you haven't done it yet."

Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the flu, and contrary to urban legend, the shot won't make people sick, Jhung said.

So far, it appears this year's flu vaccine is a good match for the strain of the virus circulating, he said.

<p>Local hospitals are seeing more cases of flu-like illness in their emergency rooms, an indication the community could be in store for a rough season. </p><p>"It's definitely up," said Dr. Bonnie Sorensen, director of the Volusia County Health Department. "You can see it at work. A lot of people are sick, coughing, feverish and staying home." </p><p>The number of people visiting Volusia County's emergency rooms with flu-like symptoms has more than doubled so far this season compared to last year. From Oct. 1 to Tuesday, 3,696 people have shown up to Volusia County emergency rooms with symptoms, according to Health Department data. During the same period last year, the number was only 1,787. </p><p>Although patients visiting the emergency room may have been suffering from an illness other than the flu, it shows the virus is likely picking up in the community, Sorensen said. </p><p>Flagler County Health Department has also seen more flu-like illness, said Benjamin Juengst, environmental health director. From Oct. 1, 2011, to Jan. 8, 2012, emergency room workers saw 259 Flagler residents with flu-like symptoms. This year, that number is 431. </p><p>Florida Hospital is reporting increased flu-like illness at its hospitals in Volusia and Flagler, along with positive flu tests, said Lindsay Rew, a hospital spokeswoman. Florida Hospital DeLand started December with one positive flu test, followed by two the second week of the month, five in the third week and eight during the past week. </p><p>Overall, Florida is classified as having widespread flu activity and appears to be one of the harder-hit states in the nation, said Dr. Michael Jhung, medical officer in the influenza division at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. </p><p>Nationally, the CDC is seeing peak-like levels of flu when generally the virus doesn't reach its peak until February. Public health officials are watching to see whether flu is peaking early or if much more is still in store. The CDC is warning this could be one of the worst seasons in recent years. </p><p>Locally, Volusia County is reporting mild activity, while Flagler is reporting no activity, according to the most recent state surveillance report. </p><p>But given the amount of flu spreading throughout Florida, it's likely the two counties will see widespread activity by the end of the season, Jhung said. </p><p>"It's only a matter of time before they are subject to the same activity as the rest of the state is seeing," he said. "It's a good reason to vaccinate if you haven't done it yet." </p><p>Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the flu, and contrary to urban legend, the shot won't make people sick, Jhung said. </p><p>So far, it appears this year's flu vaccine is a good match for the strain of the virus circulating, he said.</p>